John Hickenlooper in 2016 Governor's State of the State speeches

On Drugs:
Regulatory regime to marijuana needs to be strengthened

Coloradans voted to legalize marijuana three years ago and we had to build a regulatory system from scratch. We should continue to look at lessons learned from alcohol and tobacco as we monitor and update marijuana regulations.
Back in the day, candy cigarettes desensitized kids to the dangers of tobacco--and today, pot-infused gummy bears send the wrong message to our kids about marijuana.

Source: 2016 State of the State speech to Colorado legislature
Jan 14, 2016

On Education:
Earn-and-learn programs to reduce attainment gap

We're working so aggressively, on all sides of the Golden Triangle, to close the Attainment Gap. Our Business and Experiential Learning Commission is building on our concurrent enrollment programs and developing a new
model for college and career readiness. It gives students the opportunity to earn college credit, and get professional experience, while simultaneously achieving their high school diplomas.

Source: 2016 State of the State speech to Colorado legislature
Jan 14, 2016

On Education:
Some standardized testing is necessary

Last session, you came together and passed bipartisan legislation to reduce testing by 30 hours, so we can accurately measure our kids' progress toward meeting standards without overwhelming them or their teachers. But there are pivotal moments
in our kids' academic careers when we need to know exactly where they stand on the learning curve, so we can adjust course if needed before it's too late. That's why we're standing firm on 9th grade assessments.

Source: 2016 State of the State speech to Colorado legislature
Jan 14, 2016

On Energy & Oil:
Pursuing renewables; solar and wind

Upholding the highest public health and environmental standards, while promoting innovative energy development, is a cornerstone of our energy strategy. That means moving toward a cleaner, more sustainable energy future and Colorado has already
risen to this challenge. We're a leader in the pursuit and promise of renewable energy. Sunrun is bringing 800 new solar jobs to our state. And Vestas Wind Systems added 350 new jobs at their Windsor, Brighton and Pueblo facilities.

Source: 2016 State of the State speech to Colorado legislature
Jan 14, 2016

Tackling watershed contamination presents a challenge because of federal laws that prevent clean-up efforts that fail to meet anything less than their standards. We ask that you support our Congressional
Delegation's efforts to allow "Good Samaritans" like state agencies, local governments, watershed groups and nonprofits to improve water quality without incurring liability for meeting all federal standards.

Source: 2016 State of the State speech to Colorado legislature
Jan 14, 2016

On Gun Control:
Develop a program to reduce suicides by gun

Since 2012 auto fatalities have dropped to near-historic lows because we prioritized and put resources behind education and safety programs. We need to put the same effort into increasing awareness of the links between mental health,
suicide, and guns. We're partnering with gun shops, firing ranges and firearm safety instructors on a pilot program to make sure suicide prevention is part of the conversation when addressing gun safety and education.

Source: 2016 State of the State speech to Colorado legislature
Jan 14, 2016

On Principles & Values:
Governance needs compromise to work

Democracy wasn't designed to be argument-free--it's built on vigorous debate. But democracy also wasn't designed to be combative to its own detriment. Without compromise, the system stagnates under the weight of so many stalemates. This "you're either
with us or against us" mentality hurts our state and our country, and it undermines our democracy. This isn't how our founders envisioned it. They weren't partisan to the point of paralysis. The system worked because they worked together.

Source: 2016 State of the State speech to Colorado legislature
Jan 14, 2016

On Technology:
Expand broadband connectivity

We're continuing the promising work of our Main Street improvement initiative, and pressing forward on efforts to bring broadband to every corner and corral in Colorado.

We are leveraging federal dollars, state assets and our new telecom law to ensure that all Colorado households, businesses, hospitals and schools--regardless of their location--have access to reliable, affordable broadband.

Source: 2016 State of the State speech to Colorado legislature
Jan 14, 2016